March for Science: Be a part of the solution, not part of the precipitate

April 22 – Earth Day March for Science

Today my husband and I made our way to Boston Common where we joined the movement to support science.

It was a cold rainy day when we set out to Boston. But the weather did not stop us, nor did it stop the thousands, if not tens of thousands of people that were there today.

There is something that happens to you deep inside when you are part of a large group of people who share the same passion as you do.

It is hard to put into words that feeling, but that was what I felt today. It was a warm fuzzy feeling. And though it was cold and wet outside, inside I was warm, glowing, and proud to be standing among the men and women who were there for the same reason as we were.

And while I was happy yo be there, I could not help but wonder who let this happen?

When did half the population of the United States, a country that led the world in scientific research, stop thinking that science and scientific research was important?

Science is a way of knowing

But it is not the only way of knowing. I know that.

Many religions also can provide answers to life on this planet.

But we can rely on the explanations science gives because that explanation is based on empirical evidence. And this evidence is observed by many people and reviewed multiple times.

We now know why we have day and night, why we have snow in the winter and not in the summer, and why there are earthquakes, tsunamis, eclipses, and volcanic eruptions. We can explain why we get sick, control and even eliminate diseases, and have access to clean air and water that is vital for our survival. In addition to all this, we know so much more about our own environment. We know the causes that will damage it, and the solutions that will save it.

Yet, with all that we know about ourselves and the planet we live in, we do not know everything.

Be an informed consumer of science

My husband and I are both scientists. We both have doctoral degrees in chemistry, and we know how science works. But you do not have to be a scientists to be an informed consumer of science. All you need is to be just a little bit curious.

We are all consumers of science. We use products of scientific research everyday.

The food we eat, the medication we take, the cleaning products we use to clean ourselves and our homes, and the cosmetics we use to beautify ourselves are all products of scientific research.

Hence, being an informed consumer of science is knowing the difference between what is a product of science, which is often safe for human consumption, and what is a product of pseudoscience – i.e., knowing when you have been conned.

Our hope…

As we drove home this evening, wet, cold, and tired, we talked about what we hoped today would accomplish. My husband said that he hopes the president would see that there are people whose voices need to be heard, and he hopes that the president would change his policies to support EPA and fund scientific research.

And I agreed with him.

They say that you don’t miss something until it is no longer a part of your life.

If science goes away, and it is no longer a part of your life, then it may be too late for you to wish that you had done something sooner. So be a part of the solution, and help fund scientific research. We need science more than we need a wall.

Mauve Writer

24 thoughts on “March for Science: Be a part of the solution, not part of the precipitate”

I’m a big fan of recycling, using all natural products, and walking when I can instead of driving, so I get it! But I also know many people who have been living from paycheck to paycheck or worse, no income at all, in areas of our country that depend on the actions of President Trump to revitalize their lives. I don’t think one is more important than the other, and I’m hopeful we can have both clean air, and a prosperous nation.

I personally think Trump’s decision had more to do with supporting big business aka let them dump waste. I totally agree with what you’re saying though. Truth is education in this country is way behind others and that it isn’t a priority to government is so sad.

To be honest Patrick, I don’t know.
I believe that various environmental scientists may be on the case. Science is a such a diverse discipline, and it is possible that scientists in different fields have their own issues to cope with too.
My husband and I donate to various environmental agencies, and hope that our money will be used in helping with clean-ups at home and abroad.